Smith was a thorn in the side of Dinamo Bucharest all game and was unlucky not to score himself - his best effort ricocheted off the inside of a post - while Miller came off the bench and made an immediate impact to help secure United's winner.

Ferguson said: "I think that since Alan Smith walked through the door at Old Trafford he has been absolutely sensational.

"He was a real handful for the Dinamo defenders, he made a great contribution and has been a tremendous signing for us."

Miller, the 23-year-old who moved from Celtic in the summer, was also picked out for praise by the United boss after his low, driven cross was turned into his own net by Angelo Alistar.

United had to come back from a goal down after Quinton Fortune knocked the ball into his own net trying to clear an Ionel Danciulescu shot, and it was not until Ryan Giggs equalised with a breakaway goal seven minutes before half-time that they settled.